GM’s Revamped Bolt EV: What We Know So Far

When General Motors announced that it was planning to overhaul the little Chevrolet Bolt EV, it came as a surprise to many. Originally, GM had planned to end production of the Bolt EV forever in December of 2023. However, a recent surge in Bolt sales convinced the automaker to keep the model around for a while longer. During GM’s earnings call on Tuesday, CEO Mary Barra shared more details on the revamped Bolt EV, announcing that it will be getting LFP batteries, a Tesla-style charging port, as well as new motors and software.

Here is how CBS News described the decision at the time…

General Motors is ending production of its Chevrolet Bolt models by the end of this year, the Michigan automaker said Tuesday, adding that the local plant currently tasked with making the Bolt will be converted for the manufacturing of electric pickup trucks.

GM is stopping Bolt production even though company officials say it’s their top-selling electric vehicle. GM debuted the all-electric car in 2016, a decade after it introduced the EV1, which was discontinued in 2002. The Bolt is one of the reasons why GM is a top market leader in the EV market, GM CEO Mary Barra said Tuesday. 

Barra announced that the Bolt would be discontinued on a q1 2023 earnings call. The plan at the time was to turn the factory currently producing the Bolt into a factory that produced EV trucks. GM makes great trucks. The Silverado EV will sell…when it is launched. But the Bolt was a cheap, reliable, popular EV SUV…the ONLY cheap, reliable, popular EV SUV on the market. Just an idiotic decision that would have been the 2nd worst move in the history of Electric Vehicles.

Worst Decision in EV History?

In May 1994, Toyota revolutionized the automotive industry with the unveiling of the world’s first crossover. This groundbreaking vehicle featured four-wheel drive and retained the maneuverability of a standard sedan, setting a new standard for innovation. The initial two-door RAV4 captured the attention of consumers and gained rapid popularity. Building on this success, Toyota introduced a four-door model in March of the following year, offering a full five-seater experience. Combining SUV-like cargo space with exceptional fuel efficiency and ease of handling, the RAV4 became a trailblazer in its class.

Despite its early success, the RAV4 EV faced an untimely end in 2014 when Toyota decided to discontinue the model. This final chapter served as a testament to the RAV4 EV’s ahead-of-its-time design and further solidified its status as a pioneering vehicle in the industry, making it the worst decision in the history of electric vehicles.

GM’s Revamped Bolt EV

One of the major updates to the revamped Bolt EV is the introduction of LFP batteries. LFP stands for Lithium Iron Phosphate, which is a type of battery that is lower in cost compared to other types of lithium-ion batteries. These types of batteries also offer better thermal stability, which means they’re less likely to overheat. In addition, LFP batteries are known for their longer lifespan, making them a smart choice for automakers looking to extend the longevity of their EVs.

Another major change coming to the revamped Bolt EV is the introduction of a Tesla-style charging port. This is a significant upgrade from the current charging system, which uses a CCS (Combined Charging System) plug. The Tesla-style charging port will enable Bolt owners to access Tesla’s Supercharger network, greatly expanding the charging options available to Bolt drivers.

The revamped Bolt EV will also feature new motors and software. While there aren’t many details available yet on what these updates will entail, we can expect that they will likely improve the car’s overall performance and efficiency. It’s worth noting that the current Bolt EV is already a top performer when it comes to acceleration, so any improvements in this area will be impressive.

In terms of when the revamped Bolt EV will be available, GM has not yet given a specific release date. However, given that the current Bolt is already the model’s best-selling year ever, it’s safe to say that anticipation for the updated version is high. We can expect to hear more details on the release date in the coming months.

The decision to revamp the Bolt EV instead of ending production altogether is a smart move by GM. The model’s recent surge in sales is a clear indication that there is still a strong demand for affordable, practical EVs in the market. With the introduction of LFP batteries, a Tesla-style charging port, and new motors and software, the revamped Bolt EV is shaping up to be an impressive upgrade. We can’t wait to see what other surprises GM has in store for the future of EVs.